High capacity underwater acoustic release

ABSTRACT

A high capacity underwater acoustic release means is described. A tubular housing is provided for containing an electronic acoustic receiver for detecting a coded acoustic command signal and a detonation means for actuating a release mechanism in response to the detection of said command signal. The release mechanism is coupled to the exterior of said receiver housing and includes a pair of evenly spaced support plates having a release linkage means disposed therebetween. The support plates extend longitudinally of said receiver housing beyond both ends thereof and are provided at one end with a shackle means for attachment to a cable or other suitable means. The release linkage is disposed between said plates at said other end and includes at least one pivotally mounted release arm operatively associated with the detonation means, and a pivotally mounted pelican hook. The load to be released is supported by said pelican hook until said release linkage is actuated by said detonation means.

United States Patent [191 Perez [11] 3,84 2% [45] New. 112, 11974 1 1HlGlll CAPACllTY UNDERWATER [73] Assignee: AMF lncorporated, WhitePlains.

221 Filed: Apr. 17, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 352,023

[52] [1.5. CI 340/5 R, 9/8 R, 294/83 AE, 340/16 C [51] llnt. Cl. B66c1/34 [58] Field of Search 9/8 R; 114/208 R; 294/83 R, 83 AB, 83 AE;340/4 R, 5 R, 16 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.130.7034/1964 Thompson 294/83 R $287,781 11/1966 Perez et al. 294/83 R X3,615.116 10/1971 Rosenthal et al. 294/83 A E Primary Examiner-RichardA. Farley Attorney, Agent, or FirmGeorge W. Price; John H. Gallagher [57] ABSTRACT .A high capacity underwater acoustic release means isdescribed. A tubular housing is provided for containing an electronicacoustic receiver for detecting a coded acoustic command signal and adetonation means for actuating a release mechanism in response to thedetection of said command. signal. The release mechanism is coupled tothe exterior of said receiver housing and includes a pair of evenlyspaced support plates having a release linkage means disposedtherebetween. The support plates extend longitudinally of said receiverhousing beyond both ends thereof and are provided at one end with ashackle means for attachment to a cable or other suitable means. The'release linkage is disposed between. said plates at said other end andincludes at least one pivotally mounted release arm operativelyassociated with the detonation means, and a pivotally mounted pelicanhook. The load to be released is supported by said pelican hook untilsaid release linkage is actuated by said detonation means. i

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENK MSV 121914 SNEETIBF 3 HIGH CAPACITYUNDERWATER ACOUSTIC RELEASE This invention relates to a high capacityacoustic underwater release mechanism. More specifically this inventionrelates to a high capacity underwater release linkage means and asupport means therefor.

Heretofore underwater release means have been pro vided which arecapable of supporting and releasing loads of several thousand pounds.However, these prior art release means have not been capable ofsupporting and releasing loads in the range between 40,000 and 100,000pounds.

Prior art release mechanisms have further suffered from the disadvantagethat the external mechanical release means was not readily removablefromthe electronic receiver and detonator housing. Moreover, theexternal mechanical release means known heretofore have been coupled tothe electronic receiver housing in such a way that the end caps of thehousing have been stressed by the load to be released, thereby causingleaks in the receiver housings.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anacoustical underwater mechanical release structure which is capable ofsupporting and releasing loads in the range between 40,000 and 100,000pounds in water depths up to 20,000 feet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a squibactuated mechanical release means which is highly reliable in itsoperation.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide amechanical release means having low power requirements for itsactuation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mechanicalrelease structure which may be easily detached from the receiver housingto facilitate the repair or replacement of parts.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide amechanical release means wherein the only stress to the end caps of theacoustic receiver housing results from hydrostatic pressure.

The objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing anunderwater mechanical release means in cluding a housing containing anelectronic acoustic receiver for receiving a coded command signal andmeans for actuating an external mechanical release means. The externalmechanical release means is removably coupled to the exterior side wallsof said housing by clamp means having means thereon for indexing theclamps with respect to a predetermined reference point on said housing.The external mechanical release means includes a pair of evenly spacedsupport plates which extend longitudinally of said housing and beyondboth ends thereof. A release linkage including a pelican hook forreleasably supporting the load is mounted for rotation between said sideplates at one end thereof. The release linkage is self locking under aload condition until a command signal constrains said actuating means torotate and unlock said linkage to thereby release said load from saidpelican hook. The side sup port plates provide the structural strengthneeded to support extremely heavy loads and facilitate a substantiallyeven distribution of load forces along the side walls of the receiverhousing.

The objects of the present invention will become more fully apparentwith reference to the following description of the drawings wherein likenumerals refer to like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the underwater acousticrelease system of the present invention;'

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the releasemechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view ofthc release mccha nism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the release mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a releasemechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the release mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 88 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the release mechanism ofFIG. 7.

Referring in detail to FIG. 1 there is shown one example of anapplication of the acoustic release system of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 1 a subsurface buoy 13 is connected to one end of amechanical release means 17 by a cable or other suitable means.Mechanical release means 17 has a tubular receiver housing 10 securedthereto for containing the electronic components of an acoustic receiverof a type well known in the art and a detonation means for actuating themechanical release means 17. Buoy l3, mechanical release means 17, andhousing 10 are held below the surface of the water by an anchor 15connected by a cable to a chain link 46 releasably held in one end ofmechanical release means 17.

When it is desired to retrieve buoy 13, release mechanism 17, andreceiver housing 10, a coded signal is generated by acoustic transmitter11 carried by ship 9. The coded signal is detected by the electronicreceiver in housing 10 which triggers a firing means. The firing meansin turn actuates release mechanism 17 to release chain link 46 andanchor 15. Buoy 13, release means 17, and receiver housing T0 are thenfree to float to the surface for retrieval by ship 9.

The function of buoy 13 in FIG. I is to provide a suf ficient buoyantforce to lift release means 117, receiver housing 110, and any otherdevice which may be attached to the same to the surface of the water. Ina preferred embodiment a large weather buoy 19 floating on the surfaceof the water may be attached to release mechanism 17 by several miles ofcable. Since this cable is very expensive, it is desirable to be able toretrieve it. By actuating the release mechanism of FIG. I the cable willfloat to the surface with buoy 13, where it may be retrieved by ship 9.

The system of FIG. I is offered only by way of example. It should beunderstood that the release mechanism of the present invention may beused to release any other type of underwater load without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 2 to 5 there is illustrated a firstembodiment of an underwater acoustic release mechanism of the presentinvention. The release mechanism of FIGS. 2 to 4 is capable ofsupporting and releasing a load of up to 100,000 pounds.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 there is illustrated a tubular receiver housing10 having a transducer head 10A at one end thereof for receiving codedrelease signals and an actuator cylinder 12 disposed in the opposite endwall B of housing 10. A suitable electronic receiver means is disposedin the central portion of housing 10 for selectively receiving codedcommand signals from an acoustic transmitter. The electronic receiver iselectrically connected to a pair of squib means 14 disposed in actuatorcylinder 12 to facilitate the detonation of either of squibs 14 inresponse to the receipt of a coded command signal by the transducer head10A. Two squibs 14 are provided in a preferred embodiment to provide afail safe means for actuating piston 16'. In other words, if one of thesquibs 14 should fail to fire, the other of said squibs 14 may be firedto actuate piston 16. A piston means 16 is disposed adjacent squibs 14and is provided with a piston rod 18, which extends through end 10B ofhousing 10. Upon firing one of the squibs 14 piston rod 18 is propelledoutwardly through end wall 10B against a first release arm 20 by theforce of the gas released by squibs 14 into actuator cylinder Squibs 14may be any suitable type known in the art which explode and release agas under pressure in response to an electrical impulse. Suitablesealing means are provided around piston rod 18 to prevent sea waterfrom entering actuator cylinder 12 and housing 10.

A mechanical release mechanism is coupled to the exterior of housing 10.The release mechanism includes two spaced parallel support plates 34which extend along and beyond housing 10. Support plates 34 are coupledto housing 10 by suitable clamp means 38 to be further describedhereinafter. A tongue and groove arrangement may be provided in oneclamp 38, as shown at 40, to facilitate the correct positioning ofhousing 10 in clamps 38.

Referring to FIG. 5 clamp 38 is shown having a top section 38A and abottom section 388 having an integral spacer stem 38C extending from thebottom thereof. Stem 38C is bolted between side plates 34 by bolts 41and sections 38A and 38B are bolted together around housing 10 by bolts39. Bolts 41 are inserted in holes 41A and 41B and bolts 39 are insertedin holes 39A and 39B.

Clamps 38 perform two functions. First, clamps 38 secure housing 10 toplates 34. Second, stems 38C of clamps 38 function as spacers for sidesupport plates 34, thus maintaining the correct distance between plates34 to prevent binding of the moving parts of the release linkage to bedescribed hereinafter.

Since clamps 38 and side plates 34 are preferably fabricated fromstructural or stainless steel and housing 10 is fabricated from analuminum alloy, neoprene insulators 42 are inserted between thedissimilar metals to prevent galvanic corrosion. For a similar reason anylon bushing 44 is provided between piston rod 18 and a first releasearm 20.

A shackle 36 is suitably attached to the top end of support plates 34 bya bolt 36A. As shown in FIG. 1 a buoy may be attached to shackle 36 by acable. To give plates 34 greater strength in the area of the shacklereinforcing plates 48 may be provided between plates 34. Plates 48 arewelded to plates 34 in addition to being bolted in place by bolts 36Aand 50. Spacers 52 may be provided between plates 48.

Chain link 46, which supports the load to be released, is releasablysupported in a U-shaped slot 34B in a widened section 34A of plates 34which extends beyond end 10B of housing 10. Chain link 46 is held inslot 34B by the hook portion 283 of pelican hook 28. Pelican hook 28 ispivotally mounted on a shaft 30, which extends through plates 34. Shaft30 is secured in plates 34 by a threaded collar 30A. A plate 30B iskeyed to shaft 30 and is secured to collar 30A by bolts 30C. Thisarrangement provides the strength necessary to support a heavy load.

The center of shaft 30 is off-set from the center of chain link 46, asshown at 32 in FIG. 3. As will become more fully apparent hereinafter,off-set 32 in combination with the weight of the load attached to chainlink 46, ultimately provide the force which causes pelican hook 28 torotate in a counter clockwise direction to release chain link 46.

As shown in FIG. 3 pelican hook 28 is locked in the position shown byfirst and second release arms 20 and 24 which are pivotally mountedabout pins 22 and 26, respectively. Pelican hook 28 in combination withrelease arms 20 and 24 comprise a substantially self lock ing linkage aslong as a load is applied to chain link 46. This is so because the loadapplied to link 46 in conjunction with offset 32 generates a counterclockwise force at U-shaped slot 28A of pelican hook 28. This counterclockwise force pushes slot 28A against shoulder 24B of release arm 24and generates a clockwise force at end 24A thereof. End 24A pushesagainst shoulder 20B of release arm 20 and generates a counter clockwiseforce at end 20A thereof which constrains end 20A against piston rod 18.Therefore, under a load condition the coacting forces of pelican hook 28and release arms 20 and 24 substantially lock each other in thepositions shown in FIG. 3.

A shear pin 45 of nylon or any other suitable material is provided toconstrain arm 20 against clockwise rota tion under a no load condition.However, pin 45 is easily sheared by the force generated by piston 18 atdetonation.

Referring to the operation of the acoustic release means of FIGS. 2 to 5a coded acoustic command signal receivedby transducer 10A generates anelectrical signal which detonates one of the squibs 14. The gas pressurereleased by squibs 14 into cylinder 12 supplies a thrust to piston 16which forces piston rod 18 against end 20A of a first release arm 20.This force will shear pin 45 and constrain arm 20 to rotate in aclockwise direction. When this occurs end 24A of arm 24 will disengageshoulder 20B of arm 20 and free arm 24. Under the force generated bypelican hook 28 arm 24 will rotate in a clockwise direction therebydisengaging shoulder 24B thereof and slot 28A. Once disengaged pelicanhook 28 will rotate in a counter clockwise direction until chain link 46falls out of hook portion 28B, thereby releasing the anchor or otherload attached thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9 there is illustrated a second embodiment of anacoustic release mechanism of the present invention. The releasemechanism of FIGS. 6 to 9 is similar in some respects to the releasemechanism of FIGS. 2 to 5. For example, similar side plates 34 areprovided for pivotally supporting a pelican hook 28, which releasablysupports a chain link 46 attached to the load to be released. There isalso provided a similar firing mechanism (not shown) in end 108 ofhousing 10 which includes cylinder 12, squibs 14, and piston 16, asshown in FIG. 3.

The side support plates 34 of the release mechanism of FIGS. 6 to 9 arealso attached to receiver housing 10 by suitable clamp means. As shownin FIG. 8 clamp means 70 includes top blocks 72 having holes boredtherein for receiving tension bolts 80. Blocks 72 are welded to steelstraps 74, which extend around the circumference of tubular housing 10,and are welded at the bottom thereof to blocks 76. Blocks 76 have achannel therein for receiving side plates 34 and a spacer means 88.Blocks 76 are bored transversely to said channel to receive a tensionbolt 82. A dowel means 86 is also provided between blocks 76 and housing10 to assure the proper positioning of housing 10 with respect to sidesupport plates 34. An insulator 78, which may be neoprene, is providedbetween strap 74 and housing 10 to prevent galvanic corrosion betweenthe dissimilar metals. An additional spacer 88 is bolted between thebottom of plates 34 by bolts 84.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 a different type of shackle 68 is providedwhich may be suitably attached to a buoy such as 13. Of course any typeof shackle may be used without departing from the spirit and scope ofthis invention.

The release mechanism of FIGS. 6 to 9 is designed for supporting andreleasing loads of up to 40,000 pounds, as compared to the 100,000 poundcapability of the release mechanism of FIGS. 2 to 5. This reducedcapacity is due in part to the elimination of one stage of the releaselinkage. As shown in FIG. 7 only one release arm 62 is provided in thisembodiment. Since the release arms function in much the same way as agear train, the elimination of one of the arms or links reduces themechanical advantage of the release linkage.

Referring to the release linkage of FIG. 7 release arm 62 is pivotallymounted between plates 34 on a shaft 64. A shear pin 60 is provided toprohibit the rotation of arm 62 under a no load condition. Under a loadcondition the linkage is substantially self locking, since the pivotpoint of pelican hook 28 is again offset, as shown at 32, from thecenter of hook portion 28B. Arm 62 has an end 62B which is held inlocking engagement with end 28A of pelican hook 28 until detonationoccurs. A safety bolt 63 is provided in plates 34 to prevent hook 28from pivoting clockwise in the event of an accidental detonation. Bolt63 can be removed after the load is suspended over the water. Hook 28 ispivotally mounted in plates 34 on a shaft 30. Due to the decreased loadrequirements a cotter pin 66 is sufficient to hold shaft 30 in place.

In operation upon detonation of squibs l4 piston rod 18 is forcedoutwardly against end 62A of release arm 62. Arm 62 will pivot in aclockwise direction shearing pin 60 and disengaging end 62B thereof withend 28A of pelican hook 28. Pelican hook 28 will then pivot clockwiseunder the force created by the load on chain link 46 and offset 32 thusreleasing line 46 and the anchor or load attached thereto.

The mechanism and system of the present invention may be modified aswould occur to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An underwater release mechanism for releasing a load in response toan acoustic command signal comprising:

a. an elongated housing containing an acoustic receiver for detectingsaid command signal;

b. a pair of evenly spaced support plates disposed longitudinally ofsaid housing and at least coextensive therewith, said support platesbeing removably coupled to the side walls of said housing by clamp meansand having a portion extending beyond one end of said housing forreleasably supporting the load to be released;

c. a release linkage pivotally mounted between said side plates in saidportion extending beyond said one end of said housing, said releaselinkage including a pelican hook pivotally mounted about an axis passingthrough said support plates and having a hook portion for releasablysupporting said load, said hook portion being offset from the axis ofsaid pelican hook, and release arm means pivotally mounted between saidplates between said pelican hook and said one end of said housing forpreventing said pelican hook from rotating; and

d. actuating means disposed in said one end of said housing for rotatingsaid release arm means to thereby permit said pelican hook to rotate inresponse to the detection of a command signal by said acoustic receiver.

2. The release mechanism of claim ll wherein said clamp means includesmeans for indexing said clamp means at a predetermined reference pointon said hous mg.

3. The release mechanism of claim 1 wherein said clamp means includes astem portion which fits between said plates for evenly spacing the same.

4. The release mechanism of claim 1 wherein said actuating meanscomprises a squib means for constraining a piston means against saidrelease arm means to thereby rotate said release arm means in responseto the detonation of said squib means.

5. The release mechanism of claim 4 wherein said re lease arm meanscomprises: a first release arm pivotally mounted between said portion ofsaid plates and having a first end in engagement with said piston means,and having a shoulder thereon; and a second release arm pivotallymounted between said plates and having an end for releasably engagingsaid shoulder of said first release arm, said second release arm furtherincluding a hook portion for releasably engaging one end of said pelicanhook.

6. The release mechanism of claim 5 including shear pin means forpreventing rotation of said first release arm until said squib means isdetonated.

7. The release mechanism of claim 4 wherein said release arm meanscomprises a single release arm pivotally mounted between said plates andhaving one end in engagement with said piston means and one endreleasably engaged with said pelican hook.

8. The release mechanism of claim 7 including shear pin means forpreventing rotation of said release arm until said squib means isdetonated.

9. The release mechanism of claim 7 including a removable safety boltmeans for preventing accidental rotation of said pelican hook.

1. An underwater release mechanism for releasing a load in response toan acoustic command signal comprising: a. an elongated housingcontaining an acoustic receiver for detecting said command signal; b. apair of evenly spaced support plates disposed longitudinally of saidhousing and at least coextensive therewith, said support plates beingremovably coupled to the side walls of said housing by clamp means andhaving a portion extending beyond one end of said housing for releasablysupporting the load to be released; c. a release linkage pivotallymounted between said side plates in said portion extending beyond saidone end of said housing, said release linkage including a pelican hookpivotally mounted about an axis passing through said support plates andhaving a hook portion for releasably supporting said load, said hookportion being offset from the axis of said pelican hook, and release armmeans pivotally mounted between said plates between said pelican hookand said one end of said housing for preventing said pelican hook fromrotating; and d. actuating means disposed in said one end of saidhousing for rotating said release arm means to thereby permit saidpelican hook to rotate in response to the detection of a command signalby said acoustic receiver.
 2. The release mechanism of claim 1 whereinsaid clamp means includes means for indexing said clamp means at apredetermined reference point on said housing.
 3. The release mechanismof claim 1 wherein said clamp means includes a stem portion which fitsbetween said plates for evenly spacing the same.
 4. The releasemechanism of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a squibmeans for constraining a piston means against said release arm means tOthereby rotate said release arm means in response to the detonation ofsaid squib means.
 5. The release mechanism of claim 4 wherein saidrelease arm means comprises: a first release arm pivotally mountedbetween said portion of said plates and having a first end in engagementwith said piston means, and having a shoulder thereon; and a secondrelease arm pivotally mounted between said plates and having an end forreleasably engaging said shoulder of said first release arm, said secondrelease arm further including a hook portion for releasably engaging oneend of said pelican hook.
 6. The release mechanism of claim 5 includingshear pin means for preventing rotation of said first release arm untilsaid squib means is detonated.
 7. The release mechanism of claim 4wherein said release arm means comprises a single release arm pivotallymounted between said plates and having one end in engagement with saidpiston means and one end releasably engaged with said pelican hook. 8.The release mechanism of claim 7 including shear pin means forpreventing rotation of said release arm until said squib means isdetonated.
 9. The release mechanism of claim 7 including a removablesafety bolt means for preventing accidental rotation of said pelicanhook.